Demi is here to help you roll into the weekend on an inspiring note.
We’re calling it: 2019 is the year of empowered women embracing their beautiful, natural bodies.
In the last month alone, we’ve had Ashley Graham’s refreshing pregnancy announcement celebrating her stretch marks, and Lizzo being unapologetically Lizzo. Now, Demi Lovato is ready for a new phase in her life - one in which she shares her most authentic self, in every sense of the word.
The singer, songwriter, actress and activist has never been one to keep quiet on matters that are important to her, but a new extremely personal and powerful photo she posted on Instagram is one many women will be able to relate to.
In the photo, she is showing off her natural body in a leopard print bikini, completely unedited.
"This is my biggest fear. A photo of me in a bikini unedited," she wrote in the caption. "And guess what, it’s CELLULIT!!!! [sic] I’m just literally sooooo tired of being ashamed of my body, editing it (yes the other bikini pics were edited - and I hate that I did that but it’s the truth) so that others think I’m THEIR idea of what beautiful is, but it’s just not me."
The Confident singer went on to explain that her body positivity marks the start of a new beginning, referencing her recent struggles with addiction, eating disorders, and mental health issues. Last summer, Lovato was hospitalised after suffering a near-fatal overdose and took a break from music to focus on her recovery.
I want this new chapter in my life to be about being authentic to who I am rather than trying to meet someone else’s standards. So here’s me, unashamed, unafraid and proud to own a body that has fought through so much and will continue to amaze me when I hopefully give birth one day.
The comments on the picture were overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising Lovato for publicly representing what it's like to be a woman with what society deems as imperfections.
TRENDING TODAY: A Guide To Championing Your Fellow Female Colleagues
Several celebrities and friends of Lovato's took to the comments section to praise the singer for speaking out. "Showing us YOU is so incredibly beautiful. Thank you Demi! Love you Mama!" wrote Ashley Graham. Hailey Bieber shared some flame emojis and added, "U LOOK INCREDIBLE." The Bachelorette star Mike Johnson wrote, "Look at me like that again...love yaself." And Lovato's manager, Scooter Braun, said, "YOU did this. YOU. YOU are amazing...YOU are smart...you are beautiful... you are wonderful... you are brave...and you are kind. And I’m proud of YOU. Hell Im proud to know YOU! Bravo for loving YOU first and in turn inspiring millions."
She added that she wasn't entirely happy with her appearance but instead was "appreciative" of it.
Demi ended her post saying she wasn't entirely happy with her appearance but instead was "appreciative" of it. "And sometimes that's the best I can do," she said. "I hope to inspire someone to appreciate their body today too."
With Ashley Graham, Lizzo and Demi Lovato proving 2019 is the year of the women, it's our turn to fall back in love with our bodies.
Main image by @ddlovato on Instagram
READ: Ashley Graham's Stretch Marks Will Change Your Mind About Yours
READ MORE: The Budget-Friendly Skincare Range I Used To Get Rid Of My Chronic 'Chicken Skin'
